Trump administration urged by Catholic supporters to tackle religiously-focused work visa waitlist congestion
The Religious Workforce Protection Act, a bipartisan bill introduced in April 2022, is gathering momentum as it seeks to address the challenges faced by immigrant religious workers in the United States.
The bill, currently awaiting lawmakers' return from their August recess, aims to allow religious workers with pending EB-4 applications to remain in the U.S. while waiting for permanent residency. This could provide much-needed relief to immigrant religious workers, such as Catholic priests and nuns, who legally enter the U.S. on R-1 non-immigrant religious worker visas.
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, has been a vocal advocate for the bill. He stated that the administration is working towards creating a standalone process for religious workers, separate from other immigration categories. Rubio has also been in touch with U.S. cardinals and bishops about this process.
The bill could help alleviate the legal limbo caused by a backlog in the EB-4 visa category, which has been a concern for many immigrant religious workers. If signed into law, it would permit religious workers with pending EB-4 applications to stay in the U.S. without interruption, providing stability and certainty.
The Hispanic Federation, along with Catholic organizations including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, have advocated for the bill. Dylan Corbett, executive director of the Hope Border Institute, expressed optimism about the bill's chances, citing its bipartisan nature.
Corbett also suggested that the passage of the bill could serve as a lesson that it is possible to find common ground to build an immigration system that is workable, efficient, and meets national needs. He stated that the bill could help ensure that clergy and religious workers from abroad serving in the U.S. do not become casualties of the broken immigration system.
It is worth noting that the Religious Workforce Protection Act does not increase the limit on how many visas are granted. Instead, it focuses on providing a solution for those already in the system, ensuring they can continue their vital work without fear of deportation or visa expiration.
As Congress prepares to return from its August recess in early September, the fate of the Religious Workforce Protection Act remains uncertain. However, with the support of key figures and organisations, and the bill's potential to address a pressing issue, it remains a significant piece of legislation to watch.
The National Study of Catholic Priests indicates that 24% of priests serving in the U.S. are foreign-born, with many subject to visa renewals. R-1 visas, initially granted for a 30-month period with one possible renewal allowing for a total of 5 years, are the primary means by which these priests enter and remain in the U.S. After 5 years, religious workers can apply for employment-based EB-4 status to legally remain in the U.S. without interruption.
Secretary Rubio has stated that the administration does not want religious workers to face issues such as closed churches or religious orders due to difficulties in obtaining visas. The Religious Workforce Protection Act, if passed, would go a long way towards addressing this concern.
The White House did not return a request for comment on whether the Trump administration would support the bill. Regardless, the bill's bipartisan backing and potential to improve the lives of immigrant religious workers makes it a crucial piece of legislation in the ongoing discussion about immigration reform in the United States.
